Conductor stringing apparatus and process

Abstract

A line stringing apparatus includes in combination an electric motor, motor controller and a processor switchable between a pulling mode and a tensioning mode. An electric motor expends electrical energy when pulling the line and generates electrical energy when tensioning the line. The processor outputting commands to the motor controller for control thereof and for application of electrical energy from the batteries to the electric motor when in the pulling mode and for application of electrical energy generated by the electric motor to the plurality of batteries when in tensioning mode. The processor limits electric motor torque and speed based on operator commands for speed and torque in said pulling mode; and, the processor controlling electric motor torque in the tensioning mode.

1. A conductor stringing apparatus, comprising:
 a frame; 
 a conductor; 
 a reel about which said conductor is wound; 
 an electric motor affixed to said frame and coupled to said reel; and, 
 said electric motor expending electrical energy when pulling said conductor in a pulling mode, alternatively, said electric motor generating electrical energy when tensioning said conductor in a tensioning mode. 
 
     
     
       2. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a processor; 
 a motor controller in combination with said electric motor; 
 said processor switchable between a pulling mode and a tensioning mode; 
 said processor outputting commands to said motor controller for control of said electric motor; 
 a plurality of batteries; 
 said processor applying electrical energy from said batteries to said electric motor when in said pulling mode; 
 said processor applying electrical energy generated by said electric motor to said plurality of batteries when in said tensioning mode; 
 said processor limiting electric motor torque and speed based on operator commands for speed and torque in said pulling mode; and, 
 said processor controlling electric motor torque in said tensioning mode. 
 
     
     
       3. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising a resistor bank and said processor applying electrical energy to said batteries and to said resistor bank. 
     
     
       4. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said processor periodically applies electrical energy to said resistor bank. 
     
     
       5. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said processor applies electrical energy to said resistor bank using pulse width modulation. 
     
     
       6. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising an insulated gate bipolar transistor and said processor controls the application of signals to said gate of said transistor. 
     
     
       7. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said motor is an alternating current motor and said motor controller converts direct current battery power to alternating current power. 
     
     
       8. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a resistor bank, and wherein said motor is an alternating current motor and said motor controller converts alternating current power into direct current power for application to said plurality of batteries or to said resistor bank. 
     
     
       9. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising a charger for charging the batteries from an external AC power supply. 
     
     
       10. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising:
 a battery temperature sensor, said battery temperature sensor generating a signal representative of said battery temperature and inputting said battery temperature sensor into said processor; 
 said processor, using said battery temperature sensor, deciding whether to continue operation of said conductor stringing apparatus. 
 
     
     
       11. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising an ultra-capacitor in parallel with said batteries. 
     
     
       12. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of reels and one or more electric motors affixed to said frame and coupled to said conductor reels; 
 each of said reels includes a conductor wound thereabout; and, 
 said electric motor or motors expending electrical energy when pulling said conductors and said electric motor or motors generating electrical energy when tensioning said conductors. 
 
     
     
       13. A bullwheel apparatus, comprising:
 a frame; 
 a plurality of bullwheels about which conductors are wound; 
 an electric motor affixed to said frame and coupled to said plurality of bullwheels; and, 
 said electric motor expending electrical energy when pulling said conductors, alternatively, said electric motor generating electrical energy when tensioning said conductors. 
 
     
     
       14. A bullwheel apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a processor; 
 a motor controller in combination with said electric motor; 
 said processor switchable between a pulling mode and a tensioning mode; 
 said processor outputting commands to said motor controller for control of said electric motor; 
 a plurality of batteries; 
 said processor applying electrical energy from said batteries to said electric motor when in said pulling mode; 
 said processor applying electrical energy generated by said electric motor to said plurality of batteries when in said tensioning mode; 
 said processor limiting electric motor torque and speed based on operator commands for speed and torque in said pulling mode; and, 
 said processor controlling electric motor torque in said tensioning mode. 
 
     
     
       15. A bullwheel apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising an ultra-capacitor in parallel with said batteries. 
     
     
       16. A bullwheel apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising a resistor bank, and wherein said motor is an alternating current motor and said motor controller converts alternating current power into direct current power for application to said plurality of batteries or to said resistor bank. 
     
     
       17. A conductor stringing apparatus, comprising:
 a frame; 
 a conductor and a lead rope, said conductor affixed to said lead rope; 
 a reel about which said conductor or said lead rope is wound; 
 an electric motor affixed to said frame and coupled to said reel; and, 
 said electric motor expending electrical energy when pulling said conductor or lead rope in a pulling mode, alternatively, said electric motor generating electrical energy when tensioning said conductor or lead rope in a tensioning mode. 
 
     
     
       18. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a processor; 
 a motor controller in combination with said electric motor; 
 said processor switchable between a pulling mode and a tensioning mode; 
 said processor outputting commands to said motor controller for control of said electric motor; 
 a plurality of batteries; 
 said processor applying electrical energy from said batteries to said electric motor when in said pulling mode; 
 said processor applying electrical energy generated by said electric motor to said plurality of batteries when in said tensioning mode; 
 said processor limiting electric motor torque and speed based on operator commands for speed and torque in said pulling mode; and, 
 said processor controlling electric motor torque in said tensioning mode. 
 
     
     
       19. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising an ultra-capacitor in parallel with said batteries. 
     
     
       20. A conductor stringing apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising a resistor bank, and wherein said motor is an alternating current motor and said motor controller converts alternating current power into direct current power for application to said plurality of batteries or to said resistor bank.